How To Become Wealthy: Lecture Notes

Jul 14, 2024

How To Become Wealthy: Lecture Notes

Introduction

  • Speaker: Unnamed individual who has made their first million in their 20s.
  • Story: Initially about Jake, a young and ambitious worker, and Mr. Grumpy, an older gentleman who criticized the younger generation.
  • Purpose: Share advice given to Jake about becoming wealthy, broken down into five principles.

Principle 1: Sharpen Your Axe

  • Youth Education: Early years spent on mindless fun and academic knowledge that often isn't practical for the real world.
  • Focus: Shift focus to mastering high-income skills when you hit your 20s.
  • High-Income Skills: Skills that make at least $10,000 per month. Examples include:
    • Video editing
    • Copywriting
    • High-ticket closing
    • Software development
  • Example: Curtis (son) mastered videography and editing, was earning $10,000/month post-graduation.
  • Long-Term: Aim to be a marathoner, not a sprinter. Skills provide longevity and the ability to recover financially.

Principle 2: Invest Wisely

  • Money Handling: Avoid constant manipulation of money which leads to it crumbling away.
  • Example: Warren Buffett made 99% of his wealth after 50 due to compound interest.
  • Investment: Lock money away in assets (not a bank account). Recommended: Stock market.
  • Strategy: Decide on a monthly investment amount (preferably a percentage).
  • Example: Investing $250/month in a low-cost index fund could yield over $1.5 million in 40 years.
  • Personal Example: Son auto-invested £5 daily, yielding 11.14% return in 10 months.

Principle 3: Take Risks

  • Common Fear: Fear of judgment from others constrains risk-taking.
  • Young Advantage: Younger people have time on their side, allowing them to recover from failures.
  • Investing: Younger individuals shouldn't overly invest in stable assets but should take more risks.
  • Personal Story: Speaker quit a carpentry job despite fear, leading to eventual success.
  • Long-Term: Not taking opportunities can lead to regret.

Principle 4: Continuous Learning

  • Dunning-Kruger Effect: Overconfidence in initial stages of learning leads to stagnation.
  • Lifelong Learning: Important to constantly learn and adapt. Use modern resources like YouTube, TikTok, and financial news.
  • Application: Challenge oneself to learn something new from every interaction.
  • Example: Early knowledge of crypto in 2019 led to significant profits.
  • Systemic Issue: Traditional education ends too early; continuous updates are essential.

Principle 5: Network with Wealthy Individuals

  • Networks Matter: The study shows that having wealthy friends increases the likelihood of stock market participation and saving.
  • Cultural Influence: Social circles greatly influence financial behavior.
  • Practical Advice: Join clubs where wealthy people hang out to build valuable connections.

Conclusion

  • Motivational: Encourages young people to go after their goals and assures that there are older individuals who support them.
  • Final Call to Action: Urges viewers to subscribe for more wealth-growing tips and watch the next educational video on investing for beginners.

Summary

  • Jake sought advice from both an unhelpful Mr. Grumpy and the speaker who shares five principles to become wealthy: Sharpen your axe, invest wisely, take risks, pursue continuous learning, and network with wealthy individuals.